SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Turkey's retaliation against Syria marks a dangerous new phase in the conflict -- one that threatens to grow into a regional confrontation. That, though, might be what Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has in mind, say German editorialists on Friday. It could lead to greater Turkish influence in the Middle East.
Retaliatory strikes by Turkey against Syria on Wednesday have created an entirely new dimension to a civil war that now threatens to become a full-fledged regional conflict in the Middle East. The moves by Ankara came after shelling by Syrian forces that killed five women and children in the Turkish border town of Akcakale.
European leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle have strongly criticized the shelling by Syria. And on Thursday, the United Nations Security Council overcame divisions to issue a statement condemning the shelling "in the strongest terms." The statement, which had been watered down at Russia's behest, said the incident "highlighted the grave impact the crisis in Syria has on the security of its neighbors and on regional peace and stability."
Turkey's intensified role in the crisis is raising serious concerns that the country, a member of NATO, may ultimately drag the rest of its partners into war with Syria by invoking Article Five, which stipulates that all alliance members must come to the defense of any other member country that has been attacked. » | SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff | Friday, October 05, 2012
